Did anyone else get a boost everyday?

Options
dsj
dsj Member Posts: 277
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I had my first treatment and it included a boost.  Apparently, I will have a boost everyday for the 5 weeks.  I'm just wondering if anyone else got radiation delivered that way? 

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2010

    I am getting a boost delivered at the last week of my treatment. For 5 days, I will receive a boost to the area where the surgeon excised my DCIS.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ainm
    Ainm Member Posts: 781
    edited April 2010

    I had a bolus along the mx scar at every treatment - I don't know if that is counted as a boost but it is to ensure that the scar area itself gets a strong treatment.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • koshka1
    koshka1 Member Posts: 678
    edited April 2010

    Hello,

    I had 16 rads treatments and then 4 boosts after.  My boosts were given after the regular rads was over.

    I did a shorter/stronger rad treatment protocol here in Canada.

    I have never heard of having boosts to the tumor bed done the same day...interesting to hear what others might say.

    Hugs....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ssb34
    ssb34 Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2010

    My last 6 treatments were called boosts. They called it a more directed form of the same radiation. Hope this helps, I'm new to this too

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited April 2010

    dsj, where is the "boost" directed? I had the internal mammary nodes radiated by  the same type of rads used for boosts (electrons directed to a small area). This was done every day of rads (25 tx).

    Leah

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dsj
    dsj Member Posts: 277
    edited April 2010

    The "boost" is directed to the tumor site--where it was excised.  As far as I can understand it, they radiated my whole breast, first from the right and then from the left.  Then they moved this apparatus (looks like a telescope or a camera filter) over the scar and radiated again. 

    Truthfully, I don't really understand radiation.  I read a lot about DCIS--margins, grades, hormone receptors, etc.  But I didn't try to read technical material about radiation. It's just beyond me.  I know why I'm doing radiation and I generally know what radiation is, but I have no idea how it really works. 

    I knew I would have to have a boost (close margins) but was surprised when she said every day.  I'll ask when I see her, just out of curiosity, because most people seem to have it at the end.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • redsox
    redsox Member Posts: 523
    edited April 2010

    I also had boosts after the whole breast treatments were finished. 

    It makes sense that they could add the boost each day if they take the dose that would have been in the final few (6-10) boost treatments and spread it in smaller amounts over the 25-30 treatment days for the whole breast fields.  You would be getting a higher dose per day to the boost area than most of us but would still be below the dose given in accelerated whole breast irradiation.  It sounds like an alternative way to shorten the treatment. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dsj
    dsj Member Posts: 277
    edited April 2010

    redsox, I'm going to ask radiation oncologist why when I see her next. I'm just curious (though not in a worried way).  I haven't found anything that mentions this regimen (though I haven't really looked that hard), so was just wondering.   

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CTMOM1234
    CTMOM1234 Member Posts: 633
    edited April 2010

    dsj - I finished my 25 full breast treatments (no boost included) on Monday and today (Tuesday) had my first of 5 boosts.

    How great that you are getting them at the same time -- less total treatment days!

    No one ever offered me that, but I suspect that at least with my case, there's a concern how the breast's going to hold up. Truth be told, it held up fine, yes mighty lobster red but don't see any reason why the boosts couldn't have been included.  Am interested in what your dr. says and good luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dsj
    dsj Member Posts: 277
    edited April 2010

    Well, I saw the radiation oncologist today and asked her about the concurrent boost.  She said something about microscopic calculations and fractions and better data.  She also said getting a concurrent boost depends on where the tumor is located (can't be too deep) and size of breast (can't be too big).   I didn't really understand the explanation (this has been true of most of the radiation details), but clearly she did! 

    She also said my skin was doing great.  No redness yet, no pains, no heaviness.  She seemed almost surprised.  Told me to keep using Jean's Cream twice a day. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories